Minimally Invasive Spine Fracture Treatment at IVIRA
At Integrated Vascular & Interventional Radiology Associates of Pittsburgh (IVIRA), we offer advanced, minimally invasive procedures—Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty—to treat painful spinal compression fractures. These treatments are especially effective for individuals suffering from osteoporosis, trauma-related vertebral fractures, or spinal tumors. If you're experiencing back pain that isn’t improving with conservative treatment, our specialists can help restore stability and reduce pain without major surgery.
What Are Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty?
Both procedures are image-guided, outpatient treatments designed to stabilize fractured vertebrae and relieve pain:
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Vertebroplasty involves injecting medical-grade bone cement directly into the fractured vertebra.
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Kyphoplasty adds a step before cement injection—balloons are inserted and inflated to create space and restore some vertebral height before stabilizing the area with cement.
Conditions Treated
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Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
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Fractures caused by cancer or metastases
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Traumatic spinal injuries
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Chronic vertebral pain not responding to medications or therapy
Why Choose IVIRA in Pittsburgh?
Located in Pittsburgh, PA, IVIRA is a regional leader in minimally invasive interventional radiology. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained interventional radiologists use the latest techniques and imaging technology to deliver safe, precise, and highly effective spine care.
Benefits of Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty at IVIRA:
- Significant pain relief—often within 24 to 48 hours
- Outpatient procedure with minimal downtime
- Local anesthesia with light sedation—no general anesthesia needed
- Improved mobility and quality of life
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to your condition and goals
What to Expect
Both procedures are performed in our state-of-the-art imaging suite using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray guidance). The area is numbed, and a small incision is made to guide a needle into the affected vertebra. Bone cement is injected to stabilize the fracture, and in kyphoplasty, a balloon is inflated beforehand to restore height.
The procedure usually takes about 1 hour per treated vertebra, and patients typically return home the same day.
Recovery & Results
Patients often experience rapid pain relief and improved mobility within days. Most resume normal daily activities within a week. At IVIRA, our goal is to not only treat the fracture but also help prevent future fractures with long-term bone health support.